#zabraksith

     “I recall using a less harsh word, but if the shoe fits. You need to learn respect.”

“I have respect-”

It was what he hoped for...but his heart knew it was a lie. 

Frowning he crossed his arms, his back turning to the restrained sith lord, for once not fearing an attack. There was nothing for Maul to do.

After he and Maul rescued Padmé something hadn’t sat properly with Obi-Wan. He defended her too easily, she seemed too comfortable in the presence of such a revolting person. Every theory he formed led him to a worse conclusion than the last.

Either Maul had kindness in his cold, shrivelled heart...or Padmé’s held a darkness no one knew of. 

One was impossible, the other unthinkable.

Turning back to the petulant liar Obi-Wan fixed him with a stern look, displaying his displeasure at being lied to. He may be a Jedi, but he knew affection when he saw it.

“We both know that’s not true. Why is she so willing to associate with you?”

While the thought of seeing Maul again made his blood boil, Obi-Wan kept a cool head as he entered the tiny dark cell, bright white lights flashing on as he entered, creating garish shadows across the room. The lighting only served to make Maul look more and more like the monster he believed him to be.

“Master?”

Breathe. Focus. 

Her eyes scanned the spartan room she had come to associate with her Master. It was less than a bedroom, but more than a study, and smelt faintly of smoke. Dangerous and intangible as the relationship between them.

“A word?” Without waiting for permission she knelt before the once meditating man. Under normal circumstances she’d have felt bad for interrupting such an important, and intimate, experience, but if she didn’t do this now she feared her resolve may crumble. No, this had to be done.

One hand rested over her stomach, the other tracing the hilt of her saber. He would accept this, or one of them would die. She saw no other solution. As if setting a broken bone she took one last steadying breath before speaking her mind, opting not to fear the fallout. Whatever happened, would happen.

"I beg your pardon?” With a recent attempt on her life she’d done her best to ignore the bruises. Years of hiding under pristine makeup she was well versed in hiding what she didn’t want to be seen.

But Maul had always been perceptive.